Faith hope & charity

Rev. Philip Thomas M. Div. BCC

I would like to extend my greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Indeed it is a privilege to Share God’s Word those who are reading this message. I would like to begin by thanking all of you for reading this message. Today I would like to share with you about how to stand as Gods children in the midst of changes and pressures. What is the example we are fallowing.

I would like to turn your attention to 1 Cori 13:4-13 love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, It is not rude, it is not self seeking, It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong doing, love does not rejoice in evil but rejoice with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always and preserves. Skipping to vs, 13 and now these three remain faith, hope, and love, but greatest of these things is love.

I know that three things that are important for the children of God in these troubling times are faith, hope, and love. Pentecostal people are going through many different kinds of troubles and stresses in life. There are external and internal pressures on our lives. At times like this when our faith is tested.

It is much easier to talk about faith, hope and love and to live by them. That is where you need to exercise what have been talked about. It is being patient, humble, considerate, unselfish, and truthful. It is hard work but it is worth it. It is very important to stand and persevere through the difficulties in life as well as standing for the faith and integrity thereof. We have come to the days of watering down the standard of the scripture and faith. We must not water down faith and belief but to stand against the value loss. The Bible and its standards do not change with times. It is same yesterday today and forever.

Apostle Paul is not talking about romantic love here. It is love where you forget about yourself and willing to sacrifice yourself for another person this was an example shown by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. We read Eph 5 in most of the weddings. Wife is instructed to be obedient to the husband and recognize her husband as the head of the household. Yet the husband is instructed to give the same love Christ gave to the church. He is instructed gave his own life for his wife that is the example Jesus showed us. So let our Christian life is built up on the firm foundation of the Lord Jesus. There are many things you could have in this world. You could have money. You could have all the best house or car on the block. You may be the envy of your neighbor. Yet if you do not have God you will have no peace. Your life will become a rut. The greatest king Solomon who had everything in this world is saying is,

Ecc 2:10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work, And this was the reward for all my labor.

Ecc 2:11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; Nothing was gained under the sun.

Today as you are reading this message. One thing I hope you will understand to choose God as significant part of your life. You build your life under the guide lines of the Holy Spirit and scripture. This would give a solid foundation for your life. I hope every one who is present here today will understand Gods purpose and plan for your life.